Smart card on the cards in road transportation, says minister
The government will introduce "smart card" in road transportation to increase quality service to passengers, the communications minister said at the parliament yesterday.
Syed Abul Hossain said his ministry has planned the introduction of the card system through Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).
The minister said smart card system would save passengers' time, but he did not give further details about it.
According to websites, smart card operates as a pre-paid card system for the purchase of mainly bus and train tickets, relieving commuters from queuing for tickets.
Replying to lawmakers' query, the minister informed parliament that implementation works for electric train service in Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor will kick off once the funding agreement is signed.
"The government has planned to introduce electric train service in Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor. It will cost Tk 7,996 crore in all to introduce electric traction in the Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor," said Hossain.
Of the cost, Tk 6,140 crore is needed as foreign assistance and a preliminary development project proforma or proposal since the aided projects were sent to the planning commission in December, 2009 for approval," he added.
The communications minister claimed that no bus, truck, lorry or pick-up vans of 25 to 30 years old are plying the city roads presently.
In a reply, he said mobile courts have seized some 27 buses from the city since July 2010 and those vehicles have been sent to dumping station.
About identifying drivers and helpers responsible for road accidents, the minister said the government is actively considering that the drivers are made bound to display their photographs and names in their respective vehicles.
Hossain in a response on recruiting third and fourth-class employees of Bangladesh Railway said that efforts have been taken to recruit 7,275 vacant posts by this year.
On grabbing railway lands, he said different government, semi-government, and autonomous bodies have grabbed 1,254 acres of railway land while different non-government organisations and individuals have grabbed 3,356 acres of land.
"With the help of deputy commissioners and police force concerned, railway officials are taking actions to recover the lands from the grabbers," he added.
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